Joe Lawlor

Press Herald

Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people. He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.

Latest

Published
September 17, 2020

Spread of COVID-19 in York County hits Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, with 18 cases reported

Workers who ride in a commuter van from the Sanford area to the shipyard in Kittery may have sparked the outbreak, state health officials say.
Published
September 16, 2020

UNE boosts testing as York County remains COVID-19 hotspot

The university urges students on its Biddeford and Portland campuses to take advantage of free testing, as the state reports a new outbreak in Sanford.
Published
September 15, 2020

Seven deaths now linked to wedding in Millinocket area

Maine’s CDC director says recent case trends put Maine in ‘a challenging situation,’ and urges people to wear masks, observe social distancing and avoid large gatherings.
Published
September 14, 2020

Driven by York County outbreaks, COVID-19 cases trending higher

Maine’s CDC now says 176 cases and 5 deaths are associated with a wedding and reception in Millinocket on Aug. 7.
Published
September 13, 2020

What we’ve learned about COVID-19 so far

Masks may protect the wearer; the more you’re exposed, the sicker you get; and steroids are an effective treatment for the critically ill.
Published
September 11, 2020

Maine CDC reports 32 new cases of COVID-19

Fifteen of the cases were in York County, which continues to be the hotspot for new infections statewide.
Published
September 10, 2020

Maine reports 31 new coronavirus cases, with 14 in York County

York County has been the epicenter of Maine’s COVID-19 spread in recent weeks.
Published
September 8, 2020

Maine CDC investigating two new COVID-19 outbreaks in York County

Six outbreaks are now under investigation in the county, which the state’s top public health official described as a ‘deeply concerning’ situation.
Published
September 4, 2020

Third death linked to Millinocket wedding as Maine reports 19 new COVID-19 cases

The Aug. 7 wedding and reception has been linked to 147 virus cases and outbreaks at the York County Jail and a nursing home in Madison.
Published
September 3, 2020

Rush to issue vaccine concerns Maine’s CDC director

Dr. Nirav Shah says there is ‘inherent’ risk in distributing a vaccine before Phase 3 trials are complete, and some health officials worry that the federal government’s push to release a vaccine before Election Day is politically driven.